Lennon and Dawson out of England qualifiers

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon will miss England's World Cup qualifying games against San Marino and Montenegro because of injury, while defender Michael Dawson has also been withdrawn from the squad.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, speaking after his side's defeat to Fulham at White Hart Lane, said Lennon - out of the Spurs squad for that match - had not recovered from hamstring and groin problems picked up in the midweek Europa League game at Inter Milan.

Central defender Dawson was taken off at half-time against Fulham with a hamstring strain and the FA has confirmed he will not be ready in time for the international double-header on Friday and Monday.

Villas-Boas said: "Lennon won't be able to make it. He has been struggling a lot with injuries. We risked him the other day against Inter Milan, and he is on the brink of rupturing his muscle. He has groin and hamstring [injuries]."

Before the FA's confirmation, he had said Dawson faced a struggle to be in contention for Roy Hodgson's side, adding: "He felt his [hamstring] muscle going in the first half.

"If we had brought him on in the second half, we would be risking him a major injury.

"I think Michael will be assessed by the England team doctors. They will be in communication with our medical department to find out if he will make it or not. He probably won't, but it's something that they have to decide between them.''

Dawson would have been a likely starter against San Marino, having played his way back into contention with some fine displays for Tottenham, who had considered selling him over the summer.